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interview
 

Rescheduling an interview?

BlackDog's picture
IB
 
Points)
 on 5/19/13 at 2:55pm

From previous posts on this forum, it seems like it's generally bad to reschedule an interview, no matter what the reason?

I'm interviewing with a buy side firm, and the process so far has been pretty informal. I'm supposed to have another interview tomorrow. At the last minute, I get an email which basically indicated that the interview will be more intense than I thought it would be. Then, the interviewer emailed me again to see if I could come in an hour earlier.

I know I would do much better if I have more time to prepare, so I took the opportunity to ask if I could postpone the interview. Was this a mistake?

"Do you have any questions?"

Little Engine Would's picture
(Baboon, 156
 
Points)
 on 5/14/13 at 5:19pm
interview-time-machine.gif

I always make an ass of myself trying to come up with good questions on the spot. I usually do not have any questions. And the questions that I do have, HR can never answer.

I have an interview with Wolters Klewer tomorrow for an internal controls internship (I was late to start applying and my options are limited). What type of question might be good to ask? I know that saying, "Nope, no questions here" is a no-no.

Development Interview

ausy21's picture
RE
(Chimp, 14
 
Points)
 on 5/13/13 at 9:25pm

I have an upcoming interview for a position in the asset management department of a development and acquisitions private equity shop. Anyone have any pointers beyond typical interview/research? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

American Capital Strategies??

ValueInvesting's picture
IB
 
Points)
 on 5/8/13 at 7:47pm

Its a PE firm based out of Bethesda and I have an interview with them. How is there culture? Trying to avoid a sweatshop. Pay? How are they treated on the street? Any light you guys can shed will help me out alot. Thanks.

cold call - direct ask for internship opportunities or set up info-interview first?

tequilazombie's picture
 
Points)
 on 5/6/13 at 7:05pm

Hey guys, its pretty late in the game and I've been scouring boutiques. Found a decent one with no emails, just phone numbers.

Planning on calling a VP and I'm wondering - is it better to go full direct and just make my pitch then ask for opportunities, or try and set up a meeting in person first?

Thanks

What to wear for VC interview?

chimpanzee's picture
(Monkey, 52
 
Points)
 on 5/4/13 at 7:35pm

Hi everyone, I have an interview for a venture capital internship interview in the Boston area, just wondering what I should be wearing? I know everyone there will be dressed pretty casual, will it look weird if I still go in a full suit and tie?

Thanks

Are you smart or hardworking?

Great White Short's picture
(Chimp, 11
 
Points)
 on 5/1/13 at 10:12pm
working hard vs working smart.014.jpg

Hey there everyone,

So I got asked an interesting interview question today. After looking at my resume, the interviewer said my GPA was pretty strong. He then said, "Do you think you have this strong academic record because you are smart or hardworking?"

I answered hardworking and went into my own little spiel. I am curious to know what you guys on WSO would say and why.

How long to hear back from interview?

tequilazombie's picture
 
Points)
 on 4/27/13 at 9:45pm

Had a final round interview with lower-mid market firm last Wednesday, how long before I should send out an inquiry email?

Is it OK to go past HR to VP?

WhiteMamba's picture
(Baboon, 111
 
Points)
 on 4/25/13 at 11:26am

I've interviewed several times for a job, and I've been continually blocked almost by HR. I've emailed twice in two weeks and both times, I've been informed they will let me know.

I have no reason to doubt them but I have another offer on the table but I want this job more. I've told them that but nothing.

One of my interviews was with a VP. I feel I made a very good impression (hence the 4 interviews) and he responded nicely to my thank you email. I was wondering whether it would be cool for me to go past the HR team and contact the VP directly to find out where I lie in the recruiting process? I'm not sure whether this will go beyond protocol or whether I might prove to be annoying.

Any thoughts guys?

Thanks!

Interview with a Former D1 Football Player-turned Consultant, Part 2

thatguy12345's picture
 
Points)
 on 5/5/13 at 8:00am
interview.jpg

The following is part two of an interview with a Consultant who played D1 football in college (he is also available to answer your questions). See part one here.

Are you a professional and want to do an interview? View our interview template here and then email me your responses to [email protected]

  1. Why did you get an MBA? how did the MBA change your career?

    I got my MBA because I needed to change my career path like everyone else. I had this unique background. I had already finished one master, but I had no work experience. If I came out into the work force it would have been at an underwhelming start. Plus I needed time to think. Everyone criticizes football players for focusing on football. But no one criticizes the ballet dancer at Julliard. Point being...there's no way you can make it to an elite level without truly believing that you're destining for greatness.

Ask Me Anything: Head Research Analyst (Commercial Real Estate)

CRE's picture
RE
(King Kong, 1,086
 
Points)
 on 4/23/13 at 4:30pm
CRE QANDA.png

I am the Head Research Analyst at a regional office of one of the best commercial real estate services firms on the globe. Day to day, I specialize in statistical market research, written analysis, database management, and copywriting/ghostwriting for pitches. I also serve my community on two different non-profit boards, one related to commercial real estate and one more personal. You can read more about my background after the break.

Feel free to ask anything about the various different careers in commercial real estate, day to day tasks, hours, networking into a brand name company from a non-target, with a “soft” major, or with bad grades, or well as back office to front office transitions.

Stigma of community college

goldilocks17's picture
(Monkey, 46
 
Points)
 on 4/23/13 at 1:00am
community college.jpg

Would you mention your background of transferring from a community college in your interviews? I feel like it'd add to my story and make my background more interesting. Thanks!

Interview with a Former D1 Football Player-turned Consultant, Part 1

thatguy12345's picture
 
Points)
 on 4/28/13 at 1:00am
football 315-304.jpg

The following is part one of an interview with a Consultant who played D1 football in college (he is also available to answer your questions)

Are you a professional and want to do an interview? View our interview template here and then email me your responses to [email protected]

  1. What's a short description of your job title and what you currently do?

    2. Consultant working mostly in customer impact and channel strategy and product innovation within financial services.

  2. When did you realize you wanted to do the job you do now?

    3. I think my path towards consulting was the same as a lot of other people. I really didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but I wanted a career that would allow me to keep doors open. Before I did my MBA I completed a M.A. in developmental psych. Thought about doing a PhD but knew that there was no coming back from that. It was to narrow, I didn't want to do research...so doing the MBA left me some more time to think/grow. Consulting seemed like a great opp to keep gaining a positive brand and set of skills while keeping doors open.

  3. What type of person is best fit for the type of job you do?

How do you answer the "are you looking at other banks" question?

jasper90's picture
IB
(Gorilla, 570
 
Points)
 on 4/16/13 at 5:48pm

I know some people have to network extensively and end up applying to literally every bank, since nothing is guaranteed. Do you just tell them they are your number one choice, but you have some backups?

CMBS Analyst Lateral Interview

Dr Barnaby Fulton's picture
AM
(Orangutan, 329
 
Points)
 on 4/14/13 at 12:39pm

I have an interview at a BB for an Analyst position in the RE Finance/CMBS group. The group underwrites CRE loans for all property types, and sells them via syndication or securitization.

It sounds like the group has a huge pipeline, and really needs to add junior staff ASAP. I already had a phone interview, and it was basically 100% fit. Analyst responsibilities include screening potential deals, supporting underwriting and origination efforts, and supporting syndication/CMBS sales efforts through the preparation of offering materials, bond prospectuses, rating agency materials and managing the data room site.

Preparing for boutique consulting interview

chimpanzee's picture
(Monkey, 52
 
Points)
 on 4/12/13 at 1:11pm

Hey guys, I have an interview for a summer position with a very small consulting firm that provides advisory services to startups and small businesses. I'm not really sure what to expect. I'm going to brush up on my knowledge of the early stages of a growth company and some basic finance technicals - anything else?

If anyone has any advice it'd be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Goldman Sachs Background Check

SpanishBuzz's picture
 
Points)
 on 4/11/13 at 9:59pm

Sorry I know this has been posted about before but most of the stuff on the search is kind a vague so I was hoping to get a fresh perspective.

So I have an offer from Goldman in compliance in London and they mentioned a background check. I was wondering what this consists of and how extensive/exhaustive are they usually?

I'm a little worried about recommendations from two previous positions. One was an acrimonious exit (but handled by the book) and the other my immediate supervisor has long since left the firm and I largely worked with him (there is no HR team at hand, each dept head hires individually). I was wondering whether Goldman does checks on each job or my most immediate ones (the ones in question are 2 years old).

Thanks!

Sales and Trading Interview

andrew1g's picture
 
Points)
 on 4/7/13 at 9:10pm

Tomorrow I have a first round for a sales and trading summer internship--can anybody give me an idea of what to expect in the way of questions?

Also, if I get asked to pitch a stock is 3D Systems (DDD) a good one to pitch?

Interview with WallStreetPlayboys: A Top 3 Institutional Investor Ranked Analyst (part 2/2)

WallStreetPlayboys's picture
O
 
Points)
 on 4/24/13 at 3:30pm
9cdf33536a3a024e8770f0601293361c.jpeg

The following is Part 2 of an interview with WallStreetPlayboys (he is also available to answer your questions). See Part 1 Here.

General Advice

  1. What is the one tip you would give to current students (ugrad and/or grad students) to help them succeed?

    Work hard and get job experience. When a résumé hits an inbox they look at school, GPA and job experience. They also run key word searches on the resume so if you have good experience the software will realize it for example “investment banking analyst” is much better to write on your resume than “corporate finance analyst” if you in fact did an investment banking internship.
    The world is changing fast and we don't want to train an employee as much as previously, so the more relevant experience you have the better you stand at getting a job offer. Banks are becoming risk averse to hiring candidates with no experience.

Interview with WallStreetPlayboys: A Top 3 Institutional Investor Ranked Analyst (part 1/2)

WallStreetPlayboys's picture
O
 
Points)
 on 4/10/13 at 12:30pm
9cdf33536a3a024e8770f0601293361c.jpeg

The following is Part 1 of an interview with WallStreetPlayboys (he is also available to answer your questions)

Are you a professional and want to do an interview? View our interview template.

  1. What is your current job title and a one sentence description of your primary job responsibility?

    2. Keeping it short here, Managing Director or Research Analyst.

  2. What are previous positions you have held and how many years of experience do you have?

    3. Still keeping it a bit vague, over a decade of experience

    Undergrad

  3. Did you go to a “target”, “semi target” or “non target”.
    Attended a Target school however I have hired candidates from Non-Target schools as well.

  4. What was the most useful thing you learned in ugrad that you apply in your current position?

Networking Call with BB MD - Public Finance

gnova01's picture
 
Points)
 on 4/5/13 at 7:21pm

So I've been networking around trying to talk to as many people as I can and build up my network. Ultimately, I'm looking to move into a different role at hopefully a BB. My current job has become a bit mundane and slowed down significantly to the point I sometimes wonder to myself what I'm doing with my life.

So I emailed an alumni asking to connect with him and chat about his career and experiences in public finance. He replied back asking me to give him a call next week.

Valuation at MM Accounting to IB?

Eastern's picture
O
(Monkey, 46
 
Points)
 on 4/5/13 at 6:11pm

Hello,

At this time, I am going for entry valuation position at BDO. Does anyone know how technical interview for Valuation Associate can get? Would they rather look for fit? Also, what are exit ops from Valuation type of positions and how can you transition into banking? Thanks in advance!

BDO Consulting - Valuation

Eastern's picture
O
(Monkey, 46
 
Points)
 on 4/5/13 at 2:19pm

Hello,

At this time, I am going for entry valuation position at BDO. Does anyone know how technical interview for Valuation Associate can get? Would they rather look for fit? Also, what are exit ops from Valuation type of positions and how can you transition into banking? Thanks in advance!

How do you get an MBB offer?

toystore's picture
(Monkey, 32
 
Points)
 on 4/4/13 at 4:46pm
JobOfferPuzzle.jpg

Hey, I had a question about the interview process for consulting, specifically for MBB. I've searched but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, but if there is already a discussion on this, please post it and I'll be on my way.

I am getting a Master's in Statistics at a semi-target. MBB recruits here, so I guess a "target" but non-ivy level for sure.

I realize after getting an interview, a lot of your qualifications go out the window and it becomes a lot more about fit, but it seems more so for consulting. Is this true?

Assuming I can get a first round, is the only way to get an offer just killing the case interviews?

Thanks

Should I call?

determined_m-effer's picture
(Monkey, 63
 
Points)
 on 4/3/13 at 7:32pm

Hi guys, I have an informational interview coming up next week. I was wondering, should I call or do they call me? I don't have her contact information, aside from her e-mail address, but I can ask. Although, I gave her my contact information.

Again, I just want to know if I should call her or should I wait for her call?

Thanks guys and God Bless!!!!

Guggenheim Partners

Eastern's picture
O
(Monkey, 46
 
Points)
 on 4/2/13 at 9:27pm
Guggenheim_Partners_Asset_Management_Llc.gif

Can anyone provide any insights about them and their culture? I know that they are led by few guys from BS and their ambitious investment banking arm. I have an interview coming up with them for Portfolio Analyst type of position. Thanks in advance!

GS Interest Rates Desk

Derivs's picture
IB
(Baboon, 133
 
Points)
 on 4/2/13 at 6:52pm

Hey Everyone,

Does anyone have any insights on Goldman Sach's interest rates desk?

I was looking to find out more about the culture there and what qualities they look for so as to get a feel for how to prepare for an interview (for both sales and trading sides).

Looking through their website the description of the group seemed pretty vague. I'm familiar with S&T already and have a general idea about interest rates desks (but it's not an area I currently work in).

This would be for full-time hiring.

Thanks!

First Round at Growth Equity Shop - First Round Phone Screen

dondestanlaschicas's picture
CO
(Monkey, 34
 
Points)
 on 3/28/13 at 9:39pm

- Decent sized shop that is agnostic/generalist
- Current fund size $500-700MM
- 2-3 Associates/class = 4-6 Associates total

*Currently a second year consultant recruiting for a 2013 Associate position.

What can I expect for this upcoming screen? For following phone interviews? For the super day in the office?

Applying to Deloitte Consulting

gnova01's picture
 
Points)
 on 3/27/13 at 8:16pm

Hey guys, first time posting. I've been out of college for the past 2 going onto 3 years. I was at a BB first in a client facing role and then moved into trading at a different company focusing on various sectors.

Now, I'm having a lot of thought about working at a consulting firm. Anyone know how I could apply to Deloitte consulting as an entry level consultant? I went on their website but it's mostly for undergraduates or experienced hires that's been in consulting.

Interviewer: "It's been very helpful." Err, ok?

elephantastic's picture
IB
 
Points)
 on 3/27/13 at 9:30am

Just finished a phone interview with a bulge bracket back for an associate position. All soft questions: tell me about your experiences, your career goals, etc. No technicals. Lots of questions about why I want to do investment banking.

At the end, he thanked me for my time and said "it's been very helpful." Anyone get that before? Thoughts?